Usage Limits
Last Updated: August 21, 2026
This page explains how free hiring-manager lookups are limited and how we prevent abuse without permanently blocking shared networks (offices, campuses, mobile CGNAT).
1. Free lookup quota
Each person gets a limited number of free reveals (distinct job lookups that unlock contacts without payment). The product limit is counted per email address (after normalizing aliases such as Gmail dots and plus-tags), not per IP address.
When the free quota is used up, you can continue with paid credits or a subscription. Paid usage is not limited by the free-reveal rules on this page.
2. Changing email does not reset the free quota
Free quota follows your identity, not just the string you type in the email field. If you try a different email after the free limit is exhausted, we may link those addresses into the same identity for quota purposes when the attempt looks like the same person retrying.
- Preferred signal: an essential first-party visitor cookie (
dhm_vid) that recognizes the same browser. - Fallback: the network address (IP) when the visitor cookie is missing — for example after clearing site data or using a strict browser mode.
Linking is a short retry window after the free quota is exhausted. It is meant to stop email juggling, not to permanently ban an office or ISP address.
3. Cookies
We distinguish essential cookies from analytics cookies:
- Essential: session, access, and the visitor identifier used for return visits and abuse prevention. These are required for the Service to work as described and do not depend on accepting analytics.
- Analytics: Google Analytics runs only after you accept analytics via our cookie notice.
If you block or clear essential cookies, free lookups still work, but we rely more on email and IP fallbacks for abuse checks. You may also lose remembered preferences.
4. IP addresses
We may store IP addresses with lookups and visits for security, fraud prevention, and diagnostics. For visitors who are not signed in, free reveals are also capped per IP address, so a shared network — office Wi-Fi, a campus, a VPN, a mobile carrier — can reach that cap through other people's use.
Signing in removes the per-network cap: once you have an account, your free reveals are counted against your own address only. If you hit a limit you did not use yourself, sign in with Google and continue.
Separately, we may throttle unusually high search volume from a single network to protect the Service (search throttle), which is different from the free-reveal product quota.
5. What we ask of you
- Use a real email you can access — disposable addresses are blocked.
- Do not try to bypass limits by rotating emails, automation, or identity spoofing.
- See our Terms of Use for prohibited misuse.
6. Related policies
Personal data practices (including cookies and IP) are described in the Privacy Policy. Commercial terms are in the Terms of Use.
Questions: team@dearhiringmanager.io